This book list contains some amazing creative women. Listed below are picture books about women who are inventors, artists, movie stars, and writers. Check out this inspiring list of women!
I will update this list as I find more books! Follow me on Instagram to get updates and ideas for other picture books! If there’s a book you think I should add, comment below!
Just a friendly reminder, I am an Amazon Affiliate, so if you decided to use the links below to purchase the books, I do get a commission.
I’m also a Bookshop Affiliate. Bookshop works with local independent bookstores to deliver books to your door. You can shop this list on Bookshop here.
Just Like Beverly: The Biography of Beverly Clearly By Vicki Conrad
Did you know that Beverly Cleary (1916-2021) became an author because she wanted to write books she wished were available when she was a kid?
The Mouse and the Motorcycle was my ish!
This is an excellent biography that takes the reader through this legendary author’s life.
I loved how the author mentioned that Beverly struggled in school. She didn’t read as well as the other kids. It wasn’t until a teacher spent one on one time with her did she learn how to read.
This book is a great reminder to teachers that time with your small groups can literally change your students’ lives.
It’s also a great book to show your struggling learners that they won’t always struggle! Bookshop Affiliate Link
Frida by Jonah Winter
Bookshop Affiliate Link: Frida Jonah Winter
Frida Kahlo and her Animalitos by Monica Brown
Bookshop Affiliate Link: Frida Kahlo and her Animalitos
Little Frida: A Story of Frida Kahlo by Anthony Browne
Bookshop Affiliate Link: Little Frida
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was a Mexican artist known for her indigenous style. Frida painted with bright colors and created tons of self-portraits since she was often confined to her bed because of her health issues. Each book tells a portion of her gigantic life and I recommend reading them all. Fun fact, she was married to artist Diego Rivera!
Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire By Amy Guglielmo & Jacqueline Tourville
Did you know that Mary Blair (1911-1978) was the lead designer for Disney World’s It’s a Small World boat ride?
She also did some design work for Disney movies, Cinderella and Peter Pan.
Do you remember Little Golden Books? Well, she illustrated some of those as well!
In this book, we learn the obstacles that Mary overcame to share her creativity with the world. Bookshop Affiliate Link
The Power of Her Pen: The Story of the Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa-Cline Ransome
Ethel L. Payne (1911-1991) was a journalist from the South Side of Chicago and would become the “First Lady of the Black Press.”
She found her joy in writing as a child. Ethel was encouraged by her parents and teacher to practice her writing.
In 1945, she would travel to Japan as a reporter for a newspaper, where she would document her observations. Her writings about the African American soldiers’ experiences in World War II would put her name in households all over the United States.
When she returned to the United States, she eventually made her way to Washington D.C. as a White House Correspondent. She was known for asking tough questions and being a voice for the black community. Bookshop Affiliate Link
THE WORLD IS NOT A RECTANGLE: A PORTRAIT OF ARCHITECT ZAHA HADID BY JEANETTE WINTER
Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) was an architect who was known for her uncommon designs. She was born in Baghdad, where she first started getting inspiration for future structures.
This book does a great job of connecting her unique designs to everyday objects around us. Bookshop Affiliate Link
In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage By Alan Schroeder
Although Augusta Savage (1892-1962) is unknown to many of us, she was well known during the Harlem Renaissance.
Augusta Savage was a sculptor from Florida who moved to New York City to attend art school.
Augusta made busts of W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey! Her most famous art piece was Gamin, a bust of an African American boy. Bookshop Affiliate Link
Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor by Laurie Wallmark
Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000) was a Hollywood star and secret inventor.
Only her closest friends and family knew that Hedy loved being out of the spotlight where she could tinker with technology.
During World War II Hedy invented a frequency hopper that prevented secret messages from being detected.
We still use a form of her invention in our technology today. We can thank her for making our computers and phones more private. Bookshop Affiliate Link
Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story By Paula Yoo
Anna May Wong (1905-1961) is the first Chinese-American movie star. She fought for roles that would display her talent in a time when Hollywood wanted to only show Chinese stereotypes on the big screen.
Anna May Wong paved the way for future Chinese-American actors who would follow in her footsteps. Bookshop Affiliate Link
Related Posts
